国际观察｜俄乌时隔三年再谈判：迈出艰难一步 未实现突破

Core Points - The first direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in over three years took place in Istanbul, resulting in an agreement to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war and a willingness to continue discussions [1][2][3] - Analysts view the resumption of talks as a significant step towards a political resolution of the Ukraine crisis, although achieving a ceasefire remains challenging due to unresolved core issues [1][4] Negotiation Details - The negotiations, lasting nearly two hours and hosted by Turkey's Foreign Minister, did not begin with a handshake, indicating underlying tensions [2] - Ukrainian Defense Minister Umerov stated that discussions included ceasefire and potential meetings between the two countries' leaders, while the Russian representative expressed general satisfaction with the outcomes [2][3] - The prisoner exchange is noted as the largest since the escalation of the Ukraine crisis in February 2022, serving as a trust-building measure [2][3] Ceasefire Challenges - The primary focus of the negotiations was whether a ceasefire could be agreed upon, with Ukraine proposing a 30-day unconditional ceasefire, which Russia rejected, viewing it as a means for Ukraine to regroup militarily [3][4] - Both sides acknowledged limited progress on ceasefire agreements, with Russia insisting on conditions that include Ukrainian troop withdrawals, which Ukraine rejected [3][4] Core Issues - Analysts highlight that significant divisions remain on key issues such as ceasefire conditions, territorial claims, and Ukraine's potential NATO membership, making lasting peace difficult to achieve [4][5] - The ongoing support from the U.S. is seen as crucial for Ukraine to maintain its negotiation stance, while Russia's demands include halting Western efforts to integrate Ukraine into Europe [5]